Which Redskins Players Are Built for the Long Term?

For a number of years, while under the reign of Daniel Snyder, the Redskins were notorious for their free spending habits.

They would overpay for veteran after veteran, while bringing false hope to their fans, media and most importantly themselves.

Year three into the Mike Shanahan campaign, that same emphasis hasn’t been adopted. Extra draft picks and under-the-radar free agent signings has been the foundation that Shanahan has attempted to succeed with.

So far that hasn’t worked, which lead me thinking, let’s take a look at the 53-man roster and evaluate who is built for the future.

What players on the current roster are in the Redskins long-term plans?

Just how many do we currently have and what holes still need to be addressed? Below you will find my answer.

Alfred Morris

I was hesitant on Alfred Morris’ future plans in Washington. That’s not an indictment on Morris either, what causes my skepticism is the wear and tear on running backs nowadays.

Workhorse running backs (like Morris this season) no longer have extended shelf lives in the NFL. So as impressive as he’s been, it’s hard to imagine that his style of running wouldn’t lead to injuries in the future.

Anyways, Mike Shanahan hit gold with Morris in the sixth round of this year’s draft. He’ll keep getting the ball as long as his production remains consistent.

Trent Williams

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It might have taken longer than expected, but Trent Williams is playing at a Pro Bowl level in his third season as the team’s left tackle, which is arguably the second most important position on the offense.

What is even more impressive is that he hasn’t hit his ceiling yet. If he improves on his consistency, Williams will be that bookend that the Redskins front office imagined when the drafted him fourth overall in 2010.

Stephen Bowen

At this rate, I would be surprised if Jim Haslett isn’t fired after the season is complete. Quite frankly, he doesn’t deserve to keep his job; however, we need to stick with the 3-4 defense.

Players such as Stephen Bowen are best suited in this formation. So if the 3-4 defense stays, then Bowen is in our long-term plans.

He’s been highly productive as one of the team’s defensive ends. He’s put consistent pressure on quarterbacks (not as much as last year without Orakpo and Carriker in the picture) and has remained effective against the run.

I can remember the Bowen signing last year certainly puzzled me, as he was a primary backup in Dallas, but his potential was shown and the Redskins front office appears to have made a successful gamble.

Barry Cofield

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Last year, Cofield struggled in his first year in this scheme. After signing a hefty contract, he was being paid to be a top-tier nose tackle.

This year, he has definitely progressed. He’s been generating pressure amongst the interior offensive line and setting up his linebackers to make plays, which is exactly what you want from your nose tackle.

Given his contract, increased production and locker room presence, Cofield will be around for awhile.

Ryan Kerrigan

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Ryan Kerrigan hasn’t had the second year that the Redskins need from him. Of course, his production diminished without Brian Orakpo and Adam Carriker, but he needs to be the team’s premier pass rusher.

With that being said, Kerrigan has proved to be durable and adapted to pass coverage.

Brian Orakpo

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This was a make-or-break year for Brian Orakpo. I had high expectations for the fourth-year player out of Texas.

I didn’t realize how good Brian Orakpo was until he was gone. I was overly critical of him in the past, but after I’ve seen the Redskins struggles generating a pass rush this year, Orakpo is much needed on this roster.